Seven LGBTQ Stories You Should Know About

1. Election Day’s Almost Here: Are You Ready to Vote?

Need to check your voter registration or register to vote? There’s still time – head to RockTheVote.org to make sure your information is updated!

2. Stories to Watch on Election Night

“So many of our rights are on the ballot: Abortion rights are on the ballot, the future of marriage equality is on the ballot, the future of whether or not we have a pro-equality Congress in the future is on the ballot.” - Albert Fujii, Victory Fund Press Secretary

And pro-equality voters and candidates know what’s at stake. A historic number of LGBTQ candidates are running for school boards, responding to increased legislative and personal attacks against school boards defending LGBTQ rights.

And on the national level, a historic number of LGBTQ candidates running this year! Click here to check out some of the most exciting stories we’ll be watching on Election Day, from California to Texas to Connecticut. Follow all with us as we track results for all of our endorsed candidates here!

Some of the biggest questions we have for election night…

Will the U.S. elect its first out lesbian governors?

While America has elected a bisexual governor (Oregon Governor Kate Brown) and a gay Governor (Colorado Governor Jared Polis), it has yet to elect a lesbian governor. This year, it could elect TWO: Maura Healey, running in Massachusetts, and Tina Kotek, running in Oregon.

Will at-risk LGBTQ Congressional incumbents win their close races?

U.S. Representatives Angie Craig, Chris Pappas and Sean Patrick Maloney’s races are all considered “toss ups” by Cook Political Report, while U.S. Representative Sharice Davids’ race is considered “lean Democrat.” Click here for the full list of our Congressional candidates.

Will a record number of trans and nonbinary candidates win?

In 2022, 72 out trans and nonbinary people ran for office, up from 52 in 2020. In New Hampshire, Spotlight candidate James Roesener would be the first trans man ever elected to a state legislature. In Minnesota, Spotlight candidate Leigh Finke would be the first trans person elected to the state legislature. In Montana, which passed an anti-trans bill in 2021, Spotlight candidate Zooey Zephyr would be the first trans person elected to the Montana state legislature while SJ Howell would be the first non-binary person elected to the Montana state legislature. Click here to meet all the Victory Fund endorsed trans and non-binary candidates.

3. LGBTQ Candidates Hit the Airwaves with New Ads and Interviews

Game Changer candidate Kris Mayes spoke with MSNBC this week on what’s at stake for democracy in Arizona this year.



U.S. Representative Angie Craig and her son watched her new TV ad about her commitment to tackling corruption and special interests in Congress.

Game Changer candidate Erick Russell – who would be the nation’s first Black LGBTQ statewide elected official – launched a new ad “Know the Job” about his plan to increase equity and fairness in Connecticut.

4. New Lows: Trans Kids Targeted in New Bigoted Ads

Bigots have made trans kids the center of their hate campaign against the LGBTQ community this year. Unpreceded attacks against trans kids have been on the rise as more states continue to pass cruel legislation. We must elect officials who will protect trans rights and let trans kids go back to just being kids. Click here to meet Victory Fund’s school board and state legislature candidates running to defend LGBTQ kids.

5. Abortion is on the Ballot in Nebraska

With neighboring states taking away the right to choose, Nebraska is vital in the fight for reproductive freedoms. Spotlight candidate John Fredrickson is a champion for reproductive rights, while his opponent Stu Dornan is openly anti-choice. In Nebraska and everywhere, November is the time to make your voice heard – abortion is on the line.

6. Anti-LGBTQ and Anti-Democracy Tactics Go Hand-In-Hand

As the Election nears, extremist attacks are on the rise. Continuing his hate-fueled campaign, Andy Harris tried to scorn Game Changer candidate Heather Mizeur for being a proud lesbian. Attacks like this fuel hate, creating a dangerous environment where extremists feel empowered and emboldened.

Spotlight candidate Janelle Perez has even been receiving death threats. These same extremists call our elections into question and sow doubt in our democracy, a tactic they've already begun before many have even cast their vote. We must fight back against dangerous rhetoric and elect officials who will protect our democracy and the LGBTQ community. Learn more about Janelle's campaign here!

7. Hit the Trail with us for GOTV Weekend!

LGBTQ Victory Fund is hitting the campaign trail this weekend! Join us for GOTV in Dallas, TX with incumbent state legislator Julie Johnson or in Austin, TX with Spotlight candidate for Celia Israel, running for Austin Mayor. We’ll also be in New York for two GOTV events with Game Changer candidate Robert Zimmerman, running for the U.S. House. We’ll see you in Queens or Nassau!

Coming up next...

Join LGBTQ Victory Institute in Washington, D.C. November 30 - December 3 for the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference! LGBTQ Victory Institute's annual conference brings together over 600 LGBTQ elected officials, leaders and advocates from across the world who are working to move equality forward. The conference includes four days of networking and building as we strategize the year ahead in our movement for equality.

There will also be a special Elected Officials Summit on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 7:45am - 3:45pm featuring workshops and panels geared towards supporting elected officials throughout their journey in office. This is a valuable opportunity to build community and learn from fellow elected officials across the world. Click here to register today!

 

Paid for by LGBTQ Victory Fund. Your contribution may be used in connection with federal, state and local elections and be subject to federal, state and local laws. Contributions to LGBTQ Victory Fund are not tax deductible. Victory Fund members do not have governance participation rights.

LGBTQ Victory Fund is the political arm of the LGBTQ community. Since our founding in 1991, we’ve supported and elected LGBTQ candidates like U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governors Jared Polis and Kate Brown and all nine LGBTQ members of U.S. Congress. We've boosted out candidates running for state and local government, including California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Florida Senator Shevrin Jones, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims, Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner, and so many more (meet all of our current candidates here)! We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election year records. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!

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